Characters like Mario, Sonic, and Pokémon became universally recognized cultural icons.
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The core philosophy of the idol industry is that the performer is not a finished, untouchable artist but a "growing friend." Fans pay to watch them improve. Groups like revolutionized the industry by introducing the concept of "idols you can meet." Unlike Western stars who are separated by security gates, AKB48 performed daily in their own theater in Akihabara, holding handshake events where fans could purchase a few seconds of direct interaction.